Modular photographic rangefinder camera

ABSTRACT

A combined view and rangefinder for use in cameras having a variable focus objective lens includes means for establishing a primary image of the scene to be photographed framed in a generally rectangular field of view together with a secondary focusing image superposed on the primary image and movable obliquely across the primary image in correspondence with camera focusing so that substantial coincidence between the primary and secondary images is indicative of the camera assuming a focused condition with respect to the scene to be photographed. In addition, the path of movement for the movable secondary image of the combined view and rangefinder is located above the geometric center of the primary image so as to facilitate the framing of a human photographic subject to locate the subject&#39;s head above the geometric center of the picture. The combined view and rangefinder may also be conveniently and easily assembled through snap-fitted components.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to a combined view and rangefinder foruse in cameras having a variable focus objective lens and, moreparticularly, to a combined view and rangefinder comprising a pluralityof snap-fit components and designed to provide a secondary focusingimage superposed on a primary viewing image wherein the secondaryfocusing image may be moved across the primary viewing image in aspecial manner in correspondence with camera focusing.

2. Background of the Prior Art

Combined view and rangefinders for use in cameras having a variablefocus objective lens are well known in the art. Such combined view andrangefinders generally provide a primary viewing image of the scene tobe photographed framed in a field of view generally corresponding to thefield of view of the camera objective lens as limited by a particularfilm format. A secondary focusing image having a field of viewsubstantially smaller than the primary viewing image is provided insuperposed relation with respect to the primary viewing image and may bemoved thereacross in substantial correspondence with camera focusing.The camera is focused by imparting a translational movement to theobjective lens along its optical axis while simultaneously effecting acorresponding movement of the secondary focusing image across theprimary viewing image. The camera assumes a focused condition withrespect to a particular scene to be photographed when the secondaryfocusing image is moved into direct coincidence with the primary viewingimage.

Such combined view and rangefinders generally provide for movement ofthe secondary focusing image either vertically or horizontally acrossthe field of view of the primary image thus making it difficult to focuson scenes having predominately vertical or horizontal lines. Inaddition, such combined view and rangefinders generally provide for thesecondary focusing image to be centered for movement about the geometriccenter for the field of view of the primary viewing image therebyresulting in most photographers framing a human photographic subjectabout the geometric center of the camera field of view. Such framing ofhuman photographic subjects, however, is esthetically undesirable. It isgenerally preferable to frame the head of a human photographic subjectabove the geometric center of the field of view. Since the field of viewdirectly corresponds to the film format, this results in the head of ahuman photographic subject being in the upper half of the photographwhich is esthetically preferable to the head of the human photographicsubject being located in the exact center of the photograph. Inaddition, such combined range and viewfinders are generally criticallytoleranced resulting in a complicated and expensive assembly procedure.

Therefore, it is a primary object of this invention to provide acombined view and rangefinder for use in cameras having a variable focusobjective lens wherein a secondary focusing image is provided forsuperposed oblique movement across a primary viewing image of the sceneto be photographed to facilitate focusing under conditions wherein thescene to be photographed is composed primarily of vertical and/orhorizontal lines.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a combined view andrangefinder for use in cameras having a variable focus objective lenswherein a secondary focusing image is provided for superposed movementalong a path above the geometric center of a primary viewing imagethereby facilitating the framing of human photographic subjects.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a combined view andrangefinder for use in cameras having a variable focus objective lenswherein the combined view and rangefinder comprises a plurality ofnon-critically toleranced components which may be easily andeconomically snap-fitted together to provide a combined view andrangefinder module which in turn may be calibrated apart from itsassociated camera and thereafter snap-fitted into the particular camerafor which it is intended to be used.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in partappear hereinafter. The invention accordingly comprises the mechanismand system possessing the construction, combination of elements andarrangement of parts which are exemplified in the following detaileddisclosure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A combined view and rangefinder is provided for use in cameras of thetype having a variable focus objective lens. The combined view andrangefinder comprises a first lens element for receiving scene lightfrom a scene to be photographed, an eye lens, a specularly reflectivesurface for receiving scene light independent of the first lens element,a second lens element for receiving scene light from the scene to bephotographed by way of the specularly reflective surface, and means forsplitting a light beam. Means are also provided for masking the firstlens element so as to frame a first image of the scene to bephotographed in a generally rectangular field of view generallycorresponding to the field of view for the objective lens of the camera.Means are additionally provided for masking the second lens element soas to frame a second image of a portion of the scene to be photographedin the field of view. Means are provided for stationing the first lenselement, the light beam splitting means, and the eye lens in spacedapart alignment so that the first lens element receives and transmitsscene light from the scene to be photographed toward the beam splittingmeans which in turn transmits such scene light toward the eye lens tofacilitate viewing of the first image. The support means additionallyinclude means for supporting the second lens element for limiteddisplacement about a determinate path and for supporting the specularlyreflective surface in spaced apart optical alignment with respect to thesecond lens element on the opposite side of the second lens element fromthe beam splitting means. The specularly reflective surface operates toangularly deflect scene light to the second lens element whereby scenelight received and transmitted by the second lens element is ultimatelydirected toward the beam splitting means so as to be deflected therebytoward the eye lens to accommodate viewing through the eye lens of thesecond image superposed on the first image. The scene light angularlydeflected by the specularly reflective surface resides on a plane whichobliquely intersects the rectangular field of view such that movement ofthe second lens element about its determinate path operates to move thesecond image obliquely across the rectangular field of view. Means areprovided for facilitating movement of the second lens element across thedeterminate path in correspondence to camera focusing so that the secondimage is moved into substantial coincidence with the first image incorrespondence to the objective lens of the camera assuming a focusedcondition with respect to the scene to be photographed.

The means for splitting a light beam may include a partially reflectiveplanar surface which is arranged in specific non-parallel relationshipwith respect to the specularly reflective planar surface such that abeam of light coincident to a center line through the means for maskingthe second lens is reflected by the specularly reflective surfacethrough the center of the second lens element when the second lenselement is located at the center of its determinate path. This specificnon-parallel relationship between the specularly reflective planarsurface and the partially reflective planar surface operate to locatethe second image off the geometric center of the field of view. Themeans for facilitating movement of the second lens element across itspath in correspondence to camera focusing additionally operates so thatthe second image may be moved about a path above the geometric center ofthe field of view and thereby brought into substantial coincidence withthe first image at a location above the geometric center of the field ofview when the objective lens of the camera is in a focused conditionwith respect to the scene to be photographed.

The means of support preferably comprise a unitary stamped metal framemember having a first section extending longitudinally from the firstlens element to the eye lens. The frame member additionally includesfolded portions extending outward from the first section for engaginglysupporting the first lens element, the beam splitting means and the eyelens. The frame member additionally includes a second section extendinglaterally outward from the first section which second section includes alongitudinal slot which defines the determinate path of displacement forthe second lens element and additionally includes at least one foldedportion for supporting the specularly reflective surface.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features that are considered characteristic of the inventionare set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The inventionitself, however, both as to its organization and method of operationtogether with other objects and advantages thereof will be bestunderstood from the following description of the illustrated embodimentor when read in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein likenumbers have been employed in the different figures to denote the sameparts and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the camera which embarks the combinedrange and viewfinder ofthis invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective of the camera of FIG. 1 including thecombined range and viewfinder of this invention;

FIG. 2A is an enlarged perspective of a portion of FIG. 2;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged exploded perspective of the combined range andviewfinder of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side view, partly in cross section, of a portion of thecamera of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a front view with portions cut away of the camera of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view of the primary and secondary images forthe combined range and viewfinder of FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1 there is shown a non-folding camera 10 of therangefinder type comprising a plurality of modular components havingcomplementary configured snap-fit type assembly features as is morefully disclosed in copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 554,769entitled "Modular Photographic System Assembly Core With Snap-FittedSubassemblies" by B. Johnson filed Mar. 3, 1975, and Ser. No. 554,770entitled "Modular Photographic System" by D. Henry and S. Ivester, filedMar. 3, 1975. The camera is provided with means for combining theviewing and rangefinding functions by means of a combination view andrangefinder as shown generally at 12 in FIGS. 2 - 5. The camera 10comprises a housing 20 having a horizontal base portion 21 which isnormally held by a user in a horizontal plane when implementing aphotographic exposure cycle. The camera housing 20 additionally includesa front wall portion 24 having a first aperture 23 for accommodating theadmission of scene light through a variable focus objective lens 16. Asecond aperture window 32 is spaced apart from the first aperture 23 anda third aperture or window 34 is provided in spaced apart relation withrespect to the first and second apertures 23 and 32. The third aperture34 is additionally spaced along the line A which intersects the secondaperture and is oblique to the horizontal plane when the camera is heldin its aforementioned normal picture taking position. The second andthird apertures 32 and 34 function as windows for admitting scene lightto the combined view and rangefinder 12. A portion of the combined viewand rangefinder 12 is disposed in a rearwardly extending elongatedtunnel portion 18 of the housing 20. At the rearward end of the tunnelportion 18, there is provided an eye cup 22 constructed of a suitablysoft material such as rubber or the like against which a camera user mayplace his eye to view the scene to be photographed as imaged by thecombined view and rangefinder 12 in a manner to be more fully discussedin the following discussion. The front wall portion 24 also includes anactuation button 30 through which a user may initiate a photographicexposure cycle in a manner as is more fully described in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 648,725 entitled "Shutter Latch ArrangementReleasable Through Shutter Blade Actuation and Resettable Through FilmAdvancement" by B. Johnson and G. Whiteside filed Jan. 13, 1976. Thefront wall portion 24 additionally includes a photometer aperture 36therethrough to accommodate the admission of scene light to a photometerassembly (not shown). Surrounding the aperture 36 and extendingforwardly thereform, there is provided an annular adjusting knob 38 forcontrolling the response of the photometer assembly in correspondencewith other exposure controlling apparatus (also not shown) in a manneras is more fully discussed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,972,057 entitled"Exposure Control System With Follow Focus Capability" by GeorgeWhiteside issued July 27, 1976, 3,972,058 entitled "Follow FocusIntercept Actuating System for Photographic Apparatus" by B. Johnson andG. Whiteside issued July 27, 1976, and 4,007,468 entitled "Trim ControlApparatus for Photographic Exposure Control System" by I. Blinow issuedFeb. 8, 1977.

The front wall portion 24 also includes an integral apron 14 extendinglaterally forward of and downward from the objective lens 16 to aforward edge 15 which is parallel to the horizontal plane when a camerais held in its normal horizontal picture taking position. The apron 14includes a recessed portion as shown generally at 42 to accommodate theadmission of scene light to the third aperture 34. The camera 10additionally includes a loading door 26 which may be pivotally rotateddownwardly to provide access to the housing 20 to accommodate theloading and withdrawal of a film cassette from the interior of thecamera 10 in a well known manner. As will be readily appreciated, filmcassettes are of the self-processable type marketed by PolaroidCorporation for use in their SX-70 and Pronto type cameras.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the camera 10 may be seen to comprise an innercamera assembly 28 including a cone 43 to which a plurality of modularcomponents may be snap-fitted in the manner more fully described in U.S.patent application Ser. Nos. 554,769 and 554,770, supra. An exposurecontrol module 44 can be snap-fitted to the forward side of the cone 43.The exposure control module 44 may include a pair of shutter bladeelements (not shown) of the scanning type which operate in a manner asis more fully disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,942,182 entitled "Camera WithPivoting Blades" by G. Whiteside issued Mar. 2, 1976. The exposurecontrol module 44 includes an annular ring 46 extending forwardly andconcentric with the optical axis of the objective lens 16. An annularface cam 48 is rotatably mounted with respect to the annular ring 46 forconcentric rotation about the optical axis of the objective lens 16. Theexposure control module 44 is configured so as not to overlap the secondaperture 32 thereby accommodating mounting of the view and rangefinder12 in alignment with the aperture 32 in the front wall portion 24 andthe elongated tunnel portion 18 of the camera housing 20.

Projecting downwardly from the underside of the cone 43 there may beseen a portion of a gear member of a gear train module 45 whichcomprises a plurality of gear members rotatably driven by way of a motor51. The motor 51 is controlled from the actuator button 30 by way of aswitch control apparatus 53 in a manner as is more fully disclosed incopending Application Ser. No. 648,725, supra. The gear train module 45in turn rotatably drives a pair of film processing rollers (not shown)for advancing exposed film units from the camera 10 while simultaneouslyspreading a developing fluid in a known manner.

A pair of spaced apart parallel legs 54 (only one of which is shown)extend downwardly from the inner camera assembly 28 for respectivesliding engagement into a pair of spaced apart complementary configuredslots 56 located in the horizontal base portion 21 of the camera housing20. The top of the exposure control module 44 is provided with ahorizontal open ended channel or groove 58 which slidingly engages acomplementary projection (not shown) from the front wall portion 24. Theclosed end of the channel 58 is structured to abuttingly engage avertical projection 60 in the camera housing 20 when the inner cameraassembly 28 is inserted into the camera housing 20. Thus, the closed endof the channel 58 becomes sandwiched between the projection 60 on thehousing 20 and the projection (not shown) on the front wall portion 24upon assembly so as to locate the inner camera assembly 28 in anappropriate position between the housing 20 and the front wall portion24. In addition, as is readily apparent, the vertical leg 54 and theslots 56 are structured to limit the extent that the camera assembly 28can be slid into the housing 20. In addition, it becomes immediatelyapparent that upon assembly in the aforementioned manner, the motor 51and its associated switch control apparatus 53 become stationedimmediately adjacent the underside of the apron 14 aside the recessedarea 42. The front wall portion 24 may be snap-fitted to the housing 20by way of a pair of spaced apart flexible projections 66 (only one ofwhich is shown) which extend outwardly and rearwardly from the frontwall portion 24 and include respectively detents 67 on the outside edgesthereof for complementary engagement with respective recesses 64 in thesides of housing 20. As is now readily apparent, the housing 20 definesa cavity which is structured to complement the exterior shape of theinner camera assembly 28. Snap-fitting the front wall portion 24 to thehousing 20 operates to retain the inner camera assembly 28 in positionwithin the housing 20.

Referring now to both FIGS. 2 and 3 there can be seen the combined viewand rangefinder 12 which comprises an objective lens element 96 forreceiving scene light through the second aperture 32 from a scene to bephotographed and imaging the scene light so received in a field of viewgenerally corresponding to the field of view for the objective lens 16of the camera. Means for splitting a light beam are provided by adichroic partially reflective mirror 100 which transmits a portion ofthe scene light received from the objective lens 96. There is alsoprovided an eye lens 98 to accommodate viewing of the imaged scene lightfrom the objective lens 96 when a user aligns his eye with the eye cup22 in the aforementioned manner. Means are provided by a unitary stampedmetal frame member 68 for supporting the objective lens 96, the dichroicbeam splitter 100 and the eye lens 98 in spaced apart alignment along anoptical axis so that the objective lens 96 receives scene light throughthe aperture 32 and transmits such scene light from the scene to bephotographed toward the dichroic beam splitter 100 which in turntransmits a portion of such scene light toward the eye lens 98 tofacilitate viewing of the imaged scene light.

The frame member 68 includes a side wall section 69 extendinglongitudinally from the objective lens 96 to the eye lens 98. The franemember 68 additionally includes a first forward pair of spaced apart,opposed folded flange portions 70 and 72 extending laterally outwardfrom the side wall section 69. The first pair of flange portions 70 and72 include respectively open ended slots 74, 76 extending therein indirections generally parallel to the side wall section 69. A second pairof spaced apart parallel folded flange portions 78 and 80 extendlaterally outward from the side wall section 69 in spaced apart relationfrom the first flange portions 70 and 72. The rearward flange portions78 and 80 also include respectively open ended slots 82 and 84 extendingtherein in directions generally perpendicular to the side wall section69.

The objective lens element 96 preferably is comprised of plastic, moldedto provide a generally rectangular raised peripheral ridge 86 from whichextend opposed projections 88, 90 for sliding engagement with respectiveslots 74, 76 in the forward pair of flange portions 70, 72. The raisedperipheral ridge 86 abuttingly engages the leading edges of the sidewall section 69 and the forward flange portions 70, 72 so as todetermine proper alignment of the objective lens 96.

The eye lens 98 is also preferably of molded plastic construction havinga pair of opposed projections 88, 90 disposed about the peripherythereof for sliding engagement with respective slots 82, 84 ofrespective rearward flange portions 78, 80. The eye lens 98 additionallyincludes a third integrally molded projection 92 extending laterallyoutward from the side thereof for engagement with the side wall section69 upon insertion into slots 82, 84 thereby aligning the eye lens 98along the optical axis of the objective lens 96.

Means are provided for masking the objective lens 96 so as to frame thescene light imaged by the objective lens 96 in a generally rectangularfield of view corresponding to the field of view of the camera 10. Themeans for masking the objective lens 96 comprise a parallelepipedstructure 102 having a forward major surface element 104 spaced apart ingenerally parallel relation to a rearward major surface element 106. Thesurface elements 104, 106 include respective rectangular apertures 108,110 therethrough for framing the rectangular field of view andadditionally presenting a light baffle to stray light which mightotherwise enter the combined view and rangefinder 12. The parallelepipedstructure 102 is preferably a thin sheet metal stamping and includes aside wall member 112 for maintaining the opposed major surface elements104, 106 in spaced apart substantially parallel relation with respect toeach other. Whereas the parallelepiped structure 102 is preferably athin sheet metal stamping, the opposed major surface elements 104, 106may be pivoted apart with respect to each other about the flexible edgesof the side wall member 112 to accommodate insertion of the objectivelens 96 therebetween. Means are provided for accommodating thesnap-fitting of the opposed major surface elements 104, 106 into opposedspaced apart fixed relation with respect to each other. Such meansinclude a first flange portion 114 folded downwardly from the top of themajor surface element 104 together with a second flange portion 116folded upwardly from the bottom of the major surface element 104. Thetop and bottom folded flange portions 114, 116 include respectivelydetents 118, 120 for respective engagement with complementary slots 122,124 in the rearward major surface element 106.

As is now readily apparent, the objective lens element 96 may beinserted into the frame member 102 as follows. The objective lenselement 96 is first slidingly inserted between the folded flangeportions 70 and 72 that the projections 88 and 90 become engagedrespectively with complementary slots 74 and 76. The parallelepipedstructure 102 is then opened by pivoting the major surface elements 104,106 about the flexible edges of the side wall member 112 so as to spreadapart the opposed major surface elements 104, 106 to accommodate itssliding engagement with the objective lens element 96 and the foldedflange portions 74, 76. Once slidingly engaged in this manner, theopposed major surface elements 104 and 106 may be pivoted toward eachother about the flexible edges of side wall member 112 so as to bringthe major surface element 104 into engagement with the forward face ofthe objective lens 96 while simultaneously bringing the rearward majorsurface element 106 into engagement with the rearward edges of thefolded flange portions 70 and 72. In this manner, the top and bottomflange portions 114 and 116 are also slidingly engaged with respectiveslots 122 and 124 so as to be snap-fitted into place upon passage of thedetents 118, 120 through respective slots 122, 124. Pivoting of theopposed major surface elements 104 and 106 in the aforementioned manneralso operates to pivot another side wall 123 into sliding engagementwith the outside surface of the side wall section 69 so as to inhibitsideways withdrawal of the parallelepiped section 102 from the framemember 68. As is now readily apparent, the objective lens element 96 isfixedly secured to the frame member 69 by the co-action of the opposedmajor surface elements 104, 106 which respectively engage the forwardface of the objective lens 96 and the trailing edges of the foldedflange portions 70 and 72.

Means are also provided for masking the eye lens 98 in substantialcoincidence to the rectangular field of view. The means for masking theeye lens include a second parallelepiped structure 128 comprising aforward major surface element 130 spaced apart in generally parallelrelation to a rearward major surface element 132 by way of a sidewallmember 134. The opposed major surface elements 130, 132 includerespectively rectangular apertures 136, 138 therethrough in substantialregistration with respect to the rectangular field of view therebypresenting additional light baffles to stray light which might otherwiseenter the combined view and rangefinder 12. The forward major surfaceelement 130 includes a folded flange portion 140 at the top therof whichflange portion is recessed at 144 for complementary engagement with theeye lens projection 88. In like manner, the bottom of the major surfaceelement 130 is folded to provide a bottom flange portion 142 having arecess 146 which is configured for complementary engagement with the eyelens projection 90. There is additionally included another side wallmember 148 extending rearwardly from the forward major surface element130 and having a slot 150 therein for snap-fitting engagement with acomplementary flange type detent 162 folded rearwardly from the rearwardmajor surface element 132. There are additionally provided spaced apartflange portions 172 folded forwardly from the rearward major surfaceelement 132. Again, as was previously discussed with regard to theparallelepiped structure 102, the parallelepiped structure 128 mayconsist of a thin folded sheet metal stamping.

The eye lens may be fixedly stationed with respect to the frame member69 in the following manner. The forward and rearward major surfaceelements 130, 132 may be pivoted outward with respect to each otherabout the flexible edges of the side wall member 134 in the same manneras previously discussed with regard to the parallelepiped structure 102.The eye lens 98 may thereafter be inserted between the top and bottomflange portions 140 and 142 with the projections 88 and 90 slidinglyengaging respective complementary recesses 144 and 146. The combined eyelens 96 and parallelepiped structure 128 may thereafter be slided sideways between the folded flange portions 78 and 80 in a manner wherebythe projections 88 and 90 slidingly engage respective slots 82 and 84.The eye lens 98 and its associated parallelepiped structure 128 arefully inserted when the projection 92 abuttingly engages the interiorsurface of the side wall section 69. The rearward major surface element132 may then be pivoted about the edges of the side wall member 134 soas to bring the opposed flange portions 172 into sliding engagement withrespective edge portions 174 of respective flange portions 78, 80. Theflange type detent 162 may thereafter be snap-fitted within the slot 150so as to maintain the forward and rearward major surface elements 130and 132 in substantially parallel spaced apart fixed relation withrespect to each other. Thus, engagement between the flange portions 172and respective edges 174 of the frame member 68 operate to inhibitsliding withdrawal of the eye lens 98 from the frame member 69.

The dichroic beam splitter 100 is supported within the frame member 68by means of a retaining plate shown generally at 175 which operates tosupport the beam splitter 100 by way of slots and flanges in the framemember 68 which cooperates with complementary configured flanges in theretainer plate 175. The beam splitter retaining plate 175 includes afolded horizontal section 176 having an aperture 178 therethrough forperforming a light baffling function in the manner previously discussed.The dichroic beam splitter 100 is preferably a diamond shapedparallelogram extending obliquely outward from the side wall member 69for reasons which will become apparent from the following discussion. Asa result of the oblique orientation of the dichroic beam splitter 100with respect to the side wall 69, the diamond shape facilitates theparallel alignment of the top and bottom edges of the dichroic beamsplitter 100 with respective folded flange portions 78 and 72. Inaddition, the diamond shape facilitates a parallel alignment of the sideedge of the dichroic beam splitter 100 with the side wall 69. Althoughthe dichroic beam splitter 100 is obliquely angled with respect to theside wall 69, it nevertheless is positioned in a plane which intersectsthe optical axis of the objective lens 96 at a nominal angle of 45°. Thedichroic beam splitter 100 is supported at three points by way of theretainer plate 175 together with an adjustment screw 180 for finallyadjusting the exact plane of the dichoric beam splitter 100.

The frame member 68 additionally includes another side wall member 182extending obliquely downward from the side wall 69 for supporting aunitary member 183 comprising a third movable lens element 184 forlimited displacement about a determinate path together with a specularlyreflective surface or mirror 186 in spaced apart optical alignment withrespect to the movable lens element. The specularly reflective surface186 may comprise a mirror mounted on a bent over tab section 188 whichextends laterally outward from the oblique side wall 186 of the framemember 68. A pair of spaced apart raised bosses 190 are integrallyformed on the tab portion 188 and in combination with an adjustmentscrew 192 define a three point mounting plane on which the mirror 186rests. The adjustment screw 192 may be used to slightly change the planein which the mirror 186 is positioned. The mirror 186 is retained inplace by a second retainer plate 194 which includes a tab section 196for insertion into a complementary slot 198 in the oblique side wall182. On the opposite side of the retainer plane 194 from the tab 196,there is provided a flexible finger 200 having a detent 202 at theoutside edge thereof which is provided to snap-fit about the bottomsurface of the tab section 188. Thus, the mirror is first placed inoverlying relation with respect to the pair of raised bosses 190 and theadjusting screw 192 and the retainer plate 194 thereafter placed inoveryling relation with respect to the mirror 186 with the tab 196slidingly engaged to the complementary receiving slot 198. The retainerplate 194 is thereafter pressed firmly down on the surface of the mirror186 so as to cause the detent 202 to snap over the underlying surface ofthe bent tab portion 188. The retainer plate 194 additionally includesan aperture 206 therethrough which defines that part of the surface ofthe mirror that provides a useful specially reflective surface.

The unitary member 183 and its movable lens element 184 is preferably ofan injection molded plastic construction having an effective focallength identical to that of the objective lens 96. Extending outwardfrom the side of the lens element 184 in a plane perpendicular to theoptical axis of the movable lens element 184 there is provided anintegrally molded flange portion 208 which is slidingly engaged to anelongated slot 210 in the oblique side wall 186. The elongated slot 210operates to support the unitary member 183 and its movable lens element184 for limited reciprocal translation along a path transverse to thescene light reflected by the mirror 186 toward the dichroic beamsplitter 100. Between the lens element 184 and integrally molded flange208 there is provided a second integrally molded vertical wall portion212 extending laterally outward in a plane generally parallel to theoptical axis of the movable lens element for slidingly engaging threespaced apart raised bosses 214 located on the oblique side wall 182.Thus, the three raised bosses 214 define a plane over which the verticalwall portion 212 of the unitary member 183 slidingly engages. A torsionspring 209 resiliently biases an integrally molded hooked flange portion211 spaced apart in coplanar relation to the flange portion 208 ofunitary member 183 so as to continuously urge the unitary member 183against the plane defined by the three mounting bosses 214 whilesimultaneously biasing the overlying surface of the flange 208 firmlyagainst a longitudinal edge of the elongated slot 210 so as tofacilitate a smooth and uniform translation of the lens 184 without riskof the flange 208 wobbling within the slot 210.

The third aperture 34 admits scene light to the mirror 186 whereupon theadmitted scene light is reflected by the mirror 186 to the movable lenselement 184. The scene light is thereafter imaged by the movable lenselement 184 and transmitted toward the dichroic beam splitter 100 so asto be deflected by the dichroic beam splitter 100 toward the eye lens 98to accommodate viewing of a second image superposed on a first imagefrom the objective lens element 96. The third aperture 34 and the frontwall portion 24 provides a means for masking the movable lens element184 so as to frame the second image of the scene to be photographed in afield of view perferably circular and substantially smaller than therectangular field of view as framed for the objective lens element 96.As is now readily apparent, the plane of the scene light angularlydeflected by the mirror 186 is generally parallel to the plane of theoblique side wall 182 so as to obliquely intersect the rectangular fieldof view of the objective lens element 96.

The combined view and rangefinder 12 operates on a principal of opticaltriangulation where the subject of a scene to be photographed located atsome distance whose range is to be determined is viewed simultaneouslythrough two separate apertures 32 and 34. Thus, two images of the sceneto be photographed as provided respectively by the lens elements 96 and184 are superposed in relation to each other by the dichroic beamsplitter 100. Movement of the lens element 184 along its select path ofreciprocal translation as determined by the elongated slot 210 willoperate to move its image obliquely across the rectangular field of viewof the lens element 96 as may be best seen in FIG. 6. A focusedcondition is achieved by moving the lens element 184 along itsreciprocal path of translation until its image directly coincides withthat image of the scene to be photographed as provided by the lenselement 96. Referring now to FIG. 6, the third masking aperture 34 inthe front wall portion 24 is circular so as to define a circular imagethat may be moved olbiquely across the larger rectangular image asdefined by the objective lens element 96. As is now readily apparent,the oblique path of travel of one image superposed on a second image forfocusing provides a means by which scenes having predominately verticallines such as a city scene may be more easily photographed.

Means must also be provided for moving the lens element 184 across itsdeterminate path of reciprocal translation as defined by the elongatedslot 210 in correspondence to camera focusing so that the image of thelens element 184 is moved into substantial coincidence with the image ofthe objective lens element 96 in correspondence to the objective lens 16of the camera 10 assuming a focused condition with respect to the sceneto be photographed. Such means comprise a lever or pivot arm 216connected for pivotal movement with respect to the frame member 68 aboutthe pivot point 218 in the oblique side wall 186. The lever arm 216includes a bent over tab portion 220 for sliding engagement with theflange 208 of lens 184. The lever arm 216 is resiliently biased forcounterclockwise rotation about the pivot point 218 by means of atension spring 222, one end of which connects to the lever arm 216 at aslot 225 and the other end of which connects to the oblique side wall182 by way of a folded tab 224.

The lever arm 216 includes a forwardly projecting, generally horizontal,portion 226, the forward end of which includes an adjustable screw 228which operates as a cam follower in a manner to be herein described. Therearward end of the horizontal portion 226 includes a double folded tabportion 230 which slidingly engages an elongated slot 232 in the sidewall 69 of frame member 68. The double folded tab portion 230 andelongated slot 232 are cooperatively interengaged to limit the pivotalmovement of the lever arm 216 about a limited determinate arcuate path.The spring element 209 which is connected at one end to the lever arm216 also operates to bias the unitary member 183 and its associated lenselement 184 for rearward translational motion so as to maintain theflange 208 in continuous engagement against the folded tab 220 from thelever arm 216. In this manner, clockwise rotation of the lever arm 216about the pivot point 218 as viewed in FIG. 2 operates to impart aforward translation to the unitary member 183 and its associated lenselement 184 while conversely counterclockwise rotation of the lever arm216 about the pivot point 218 results in rearward translation of theunitary member 183 and its associated lens element 184 away from thefront wall portion 24.

The objective lens 16 is disposed for movement along its optical axis incorrespondence to rotation of a bezel 234. The bezel 234 may be coveredby an annular adjusting knob 236. Extending rearwardly from the bezel234, there are provided a pair of spaced apart fingers 238 which areadpated to receive a tab 50 extending forwardly from the annular ring46. Thus, the tab 50 is engaged between the fingers 238 so as to rotatethe annular ring 46 and its associated face cam 48 in correspondencewith bezel 234 rotation. Rotation of the annular adjusting knob 236 andits associated bezel 234 operate to vary the focus of the objective lens16 while simultaneously rotating the face cam 48. As is now readilyapparent, stationing the cam follower screw 228 in sliding engagementwith the face cam 48 operates to pivot the lever arm 216 about the pivotpoint 218 in correspondence with camera focusing. Such rotation of thelever arm 216 in turn is imparted by way of the bent over tab portion220 to the unitary member 183 and its associated lens element 184 so asto cause the lens element 184 to translate along the elongated slot 210.In this manner the lens element 184 may be moved along the slot 210 incorrespondence to camera focusing so that the image of the lens element184 is moved into substantial coincidence with the image of the lenselement 96 in correspondence to the objective lens 16 of the camera 10assuming a focused condition with respect to the scene to bephotographed.

Thus, it can now be readily appreciated that the combined view andrangefinder 12 provides for ease of manufacture and assembly through theuse of snap-fit components. In addition, after all of the variouscomponents have been snap-fitted together to form the combined view andrangefinder 12, it is readily apparent that the combined view andrangefinder 12 may be calibrated apart from the actual camera by using afixture that approximates the nominal dimensions of the camera 10. Aftercalibration, the combined view and rangefinder 12 may be snap-fitted tothe inner camera assembly 28 in the following manner. The oblique sidewall 182 defines a right angle tab portion 240 which may be slidinglyengaged to a slotted lip 242 in the side of the cone 43. In addition,the side wall 69 of the frame member 68 is provided with a laterallyextending projection 244 having a dimple on the side thereof for slidingengagement with a complementary receiving slot (not shown) in the sideof the exposure control module 44. In this manner, means are providedfor facilitating the releasable snap-fit connection of the combined viewand rangefinder 12 with respect to the inner camera assembly 28.

When the combined view and rangefinder 12 is attached to the innercamera assembly 28 in the aforementioned manner it can be seen that thedistance from the pivot point 218 to the point of contact between thecam follower screw 228 and the face cam 48 is approximately three timesthe distance from the pivot point 218 to the point of contact betweenthe bent over tab portion 220 and the lens flange 208. Thus, by virtueof the aforementioned three to one ratio, the rise in the face camsurface 48 through the range of focus is required to be three timesgreater than the length of the slot 210 through which the lens 184 movesin order to bring the two images of the combined view and rangefinder 12into substantial coincidence over the focusing range of the camera 10.Thus, the chance of potential tolerancing errors on the face cam 48 orthe lever arm 216 are minimized as a result of the aforementionedarrangement.

The surface of the dichroic beam splitter 100 and the surface of themirror 186 are arranged in specific, slightly off set, non-parallelrelation with respect to each other such that a beam of light coincidentto the center line C (see FIG. 4) through the third aperture 34 isreflected by the mirror 186 through the center of the movable lenselement 184 when the movable lens element 184 is located at the centerof its path of reciprocal translation. Thus, the movable lens element184 may be configured to be rotatationally symmetric about a centeroptical axis thereby facilitating its ease of manufacture throughconventional injection molding techniques. The aforementioned specificnon-parallel relationship between the mirror 186 and the dichroic beamsplitter 100 thus operates to locate the path of movement for the secondimage of the moving lens element 184 above the geometric center of therectangular field of view of the combined view and rangefinder 12.Locating the oblique path of movement, as shown by the phantom line ofFIG. 6, for the second image of the moving lens 184 above the geometriccenter of the rectangular field of view is generally preferable sincemost photographers tend to center the subject to be photographed aboutthe secondary image of the moving lens element 184. In the case wherethe photographic subject may be a person, it is generally desirable thatthe subject's face be located above the geometric center of therectangular field of view as opposed to the exact geometric center.

Thus, the combined view and rangefinder as herein described provides ameans for establishing a primary image of the scene to be photographedframed in a generally rectangular field of view together with asecondary focusing image superposed on the primary image and movableobliquely across the primary image in correspondence with camerafocusing so that substantial coincidence between the primary andsecondary images is indicative of the camera assuming a focusedcondition with respect to the scene to be photographed. In this mannerscenes having predominately vertical lines may be more easily focused.In addition, the path of movement for the movable secondary image of thecombined view and rangefinder 12 is located above the geometric centerof the primary image so as to facilitate the framing of a humanphotographic subject wherein it is generally desirable to locate thesubject's head above the geometric center of the picture. In addition,the combined view and rangefinder 12 may be conveniently assembledthrough snap-fitted components so as to accommodate its ease in economyand manufacture.

Since certain changes may be made in the above described embodimentwithout departing from the scope of the invention herein involved, it isintended that all matter contained in the above description or shown inthe accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in alimiting sense.

What is claimed is:
 1. A combined view and rangefinder for use incameras having a variable focus objective lens comprising:a first lenselement for receiving scene light from a scene to be photographed; aneye lens; means for masking said first lens element so as to frame afirst image of the scene to be photographed in a generally rectangularfield of view generally corresponding to the field of view for theobjective lens of the camera; a specularly reflective surface forreceiving scene light independent of said first lens element; a secondlens element for receiving scene light from the scene to be photographedby way of said specularly reflective surface; means for masking saidsecond lens so as to frame a second image of a portion of the scene tobe photographed in said field of view; means for splitting a light beam;support means for stationing said first lens element, said light beamsplitting means, and said eye lens in spaced apart alignment so thatsaid first lens element receives and transmits scene light from thescene to be photographed toward said beam splitting means which in turntransmits such scene light toward said eye lens to facilitate viewing ofsaid first image, said support means additionally including means forsupporting said second lens element for limited displacement about adeterminate path and for supporting said specularly reflective surfacein spaced apart optical alignment with respect to said second lenselement on the opposite side of said second lens element from said beamsplitting means, said specularly reflective surface operating toangularly deflect scene light to said second lens element whereby scenelight received and transmitted by said second lens element is ultimatelydirected toward said beam splitting means so as to be deflected by saidbeam splitting means toward said eye lens to accommodate viewing throughsaid eye lens of said second image superposed on said first image, saidscene light angularly deflected by said specularly reflective surfaceresiding on a plane which obliquely intersects said rectangular field ofview such that movement of said second lens element about saiddeterminate path operates to move said second image obliquely acrosssaid rectangular field of view; and means for facilitating movement ofsaid second lens element across said determinate path in correspondenceto camera focusing so that said second image is moved into substantialcoincidence with said first image in correspondence to the objectivelens of the camera assuming a focused condition with respect to thescene to be photographed.
 2. The combined view and rangefinder of claim1 wherein said first lens element, said beam splitting means and saideye lens are aligned in linear relation with respect to each other alongsaid optical axis and wherein said specularly reflective surface, saidbeam splitting means and said second lens element are aligned along theoptical axis of said second lens element.
 3. The combined view andrangefinder of claim 1 wherein:said support means includes a framemember having at least a first and second plurality of spaced apartslots therein; said first lens element is molded plastic with a firstplurality of projections disposed about the periphery thereof, saidfirst plurality of projections being slidingly engaged to respectiveslots of said first plurality of slots; and said eye lens is moldedplastic with a second plurality of projections disposed about theperiphery thereof, said second plurality of projections being slidinglyengaged to respective slots of said second plurality of slots.
 4. Thecombined view and rangefinder of claim 3 wherein said first lens maskingmeans includes a parallelepiped structure defining spaced apart, opposedmajor surfaces having respective rectangular apertures therethrough forframing said rectangular field of view and presenting a light baffle tostray light, said opposed major surfaces engaging respectively saidfirst lens element and select portions of said frame member to inhibitsaid first lens element projections from slidingly disengaging from saidrespective slots of said first plurality of slots, said first lensmasking means additionally including means for snap fitting said opposedmajor surfaces into opposed spaced apart relation with respect to eachother.
 5. The combined view and rangefinder of claim 3 including meansfor masking said eye lens in substantial coincidence to said rectangularfield of view, said eye lens masking means including a parallelepipedstructure defining spaced apart opposed major surfaces having respectiverectangular apertures therethrough in substantial registration withrespect to said field of view for presenting a light baffle to straylight, said eye lens masking means additionally including means forengaging said eye lens and select portions of said frame member toinhibit said eye lens projections from slidingly disengaging from saidrespective slots of said second plurality of slots, said eye lensmasking means additionally including means for snap-fitting said opposedmajor surfaces into opposed spaced apart relation with respect to eachother.
 6. The combined view and rangefinder of claim 1 wherein: saidsupport means includes an elongated frame member having a side wallsection together with a first forward pair of spaced apart opposedflange portions extending laterally outward from said side wall sectionand a second rearward pair of spaced apart opposed flange portionsextending laterally outward from said side wall section, said first pairof flange portions including respectively at least an open ended slotextending therein in directions generally parallel to said side wallsection and said second pair of flange portions including respectivelyat least an open ended slot extending therein in directions generallyperpendicular to said side wall section; said first lens element ismolded pastic with a first set of opposed projections disposed about theperiphery thereof, said first set of projections being slidingly engagedto respective slots in said first pair of flange portions, and said eyelens is molded plastic with a second set of opposed projections disposedabout the periphery thereof, said second set of projections beingslidingly engaged to respective slots in said second pair of flangeportions.
 7. The combined view and rangefinder of claim 6 wherein saidfirst lens masking means includes a parallelepiped structure definingspaced apart, opposed major surfaces having respective rectangularapertures therethrough for framing said rectangular field of view andpresenting a light baffle to stray light, said opposed major surfacesengaging respectively said lens element and said forward pair of spacedapart flange portions of said frame member to inhibit said first lenselement projections from slidingly disengaging from said respectiveslots in said forward pair of spaced apart flange portions, said firstlens masking means additionally including means for snap-fitting saidopposed major surfaces into opposed spaced apart relation with respectto each other.
 8. The combined view and rangefinder of claim 6 includingmeans for masking said eye lens in substantial coincidence to saidrectangular field of view, said eye lens masking means including aparallelepiped structure defining spaced apart opposed major surfaceshaving respective rectangular apertures therethrough in substantialregistration with respect to said field of view for presenting a lightbaffle to stray light, said eye lens masking means additionally includesmeans for engaging said eye lens and said rearward pair of spaced apartflange portions to inhibit said eye lens projections from slidinglydisengaging from said respective slots in said forward pair of spacedapart flange portions, said eye lens masking means additionallyincluding means for snap-fitting said opposed major surfaces intoopposed spaced apart relation with respect to each other.
 9. Thecombined view and rangefinder of claim 1 wherein said support meansincludes an elongated frame member having at least one side wall sectionextending longitudinally from said first lens element to said eye lens,said frame member additionally including another side wall sectionextending obliquely outward with respect to said one side wall member ina plane parallel to the oblique plane defined by said angularlydeflected scene light.
 10. The combined view and rangefinder of claim 9wherein said means for facilitating movement of said second lens elementincludes: a pivotal member connected for pivotal movement with respectto said other side wall section, said pivotal member having a firstportion thereof connecting to said second lens element and a secondportion thereof slidingly engaged to a complementary slot in said oneside wall section to limit pivotal movement of said pivotal member abouta determinate arcuate path, said pivotal member additionally including acam follower portion for movement in correspondence to objective lensfocusing, and biasint means for resiliently urging said pivotal memberto pivot in a select direction to maintain said cam follower in positionfor movement in correspondence to objective lens focusing.
 11. Thecombined view and rangefinder of claim 1 wherein said support meansincludes means for facilitating its releasable snap-fit connection withrespect to the camera.
 12. The combined view and rangefinder of claim 1wherein:said support means includes at least one elongated frame memberhaving at least one planar side wall section extending longitudinallybetween said first lens element and said eye lens and wherein said lightbeam splitting means includes at least one diamond shaped partiallyreflective planar surface extending obliquely outward of said side wall,said diamond shape facilitating the alignment of respective edges ofsaid partially reflective planar surface in respective planes which areeither perpendicular or parallel to said side wall section.
 13. Acombined view and rangefinder for use in cameras having a variable focusobjective lens comprising:a first lens element for receiving scene lightfrom a scene to be photographed; an eye lens; means for masking saidfirst lens element so as to frame a first image of the scene to bephotographed in a generally rectangular field of view generallycorresponding to the field of view for the objective lens of the camera,said masking means being generally symmetric about a first centerlinetherethrough; a specularly reflective planar surface for receiving scenelight independent of said first lens element;a second lens element forreceiving scene light from the scene to be photographed by way of saidspecularly reflective surface; means for masking said second lens so asto frame a second image of a portion of the scene to be photographed insaid field of view, said second lens masking means being generallysymmetric about a second centerline spaced apart from said firstcenterline; means for splitting a light beam including a partiallyreflective planar surface; support means for stationing said first lenselement, said light beam splitting means and said eye lens in spacedapart alignment so that said first lens element receives and transmitsscene light from the scene to be photographed toward said beam splittingmeans which in turn transmits such scene light toward said eye lens tofacilitate viewing of said first image, said support means additionallyincluding means for supporting said specularly reflective surface inspaced apart relation with respect to said partially reflective planarsurface so as to receive scene light from the scene to be photographedin a direction slightly offset from being parallel to said first opticalaxis and to angularly deflect such scene light toward said partiallyreflective surface, said support means also operating to support saidsecond lens element for limited reciprocal translation along a pathtransverse to the scene light reflected by said specularly reflectivesurface toward said partially reflective surface so that scene lightreceived from said specularly reflective surface and transmitted by saidsecond lens element is ultimately directed toward said beam splittingmeans so as to be deflected by said beam splitting means toward said eyelens to accommodate viewing of said second image superposed on saidfirst image, said partially reflective planar surface and saidspecularly reflective planar surface being arranged in specificnon-parallel relationship with respect to each other such that a beam oflight coincident to said centerline through said second lens maskingmeans is reflected by said specularly reflective surface through thecenter of said second lens element when said second lens element islocated at the center of its said path of reciprocal translation, saidspecific non-parallel relationship between said specularly reflectiveplanar surface and said partially reflective planar surface operating tolocate said second image above the geometric center of said field ofview; and means for facilitating movement of said second lens elementacross its said path in correspondence to camera focusing so that saidsecond image may be moved about a path above the geometric center ofsaid field of view and thereby brought into substantial coincidence withsaid first image at a location above the geometric center of said fieldof view when the objective lens of the camera is in a focused conditionwith respect to the scene to be photographed.
 14. The combined view andrangefinder of claim 13 wherein:said support means includes a framemember having at least a first and second plurality of spaced apartslots therein: said first lens element is molded plastic with a firstplurality of projections disposed about the periphery thereof, saidfirst plurality of projections being slidingly engaged to respectiveslots of said first plurality of slots: and said eye lens is moldedplastic with a second plurality of projections disposed about theperiphery thereof, said second plurality of projections being slidinglyengaged to respective slots of said second plurality of slots.
 15. Thecombined view and rangefinder of claim 14 wherein said first lensmasking means includes a parallelepiped structure defining spaced apart,opposed major surfaces having respective rectangular aperturestherethrough for framing said rectangular field of view and presenting alight baffle to stray light, said opposed major surfaces engagingrespectively said first lens element and select portions of said framemember to inhibit said first lens element projections from slidinglydisengaging from said respective slots of said first plurality of slots,said first lens masking means additionally including means forsnap-fitting said opposed major surfaces into opposed spaced apartrelation with respect to each other.
 16. The combined view andrangefinder of claim 14 including means for masking said eye lens insubstantial coincidence to said rectangular field of view, said eye lensmasking means including a parallelepiped structure defining spaced apartopposed major surfaces having respective rectangular aperturestherethrough in substantial registration with respect to said field ofview for presenting a light baffle to stray light, said eye lens maskingmeans additionally including means for engaging said eye lens and selectportions of said frame member to inhibit said eye lens projections fromslidingly disengaging from said respective slots of said secondplurality of slots, said eye lens masking means additionally includingmeans for snap-fitting said opposed major surfaces into opposed spacedapart relation with respect to each other.
 17. The combined view andrangefinder of claim 13 wherein: said support means includes anelongated frame member having a side wall section together with a firstforward pair of spaced apart opposed flange portions extending laterallyoutward from said side wall section and a second rearward pair of spacedapart opposed flange portions extending laterally outward from said sidewall section, said first pair of flange portions including respectivelyat least an open ended slot extending therein in directions generallyparallel to said side wall section and said second pair of flangeportions including respectively at least an open ended slot extendingtherein in directions generally perpendicular to said side wall section;said first lens element is molded plastic with a first set of opposedprojections disposed about the periphery thereof, said first set ofprojections being slidingly engaged to respective slots in said firstpair of flange portions, and said eye lens is molded plastic with asecond set of opposed projections disposed about the periphery thereof,said second set of projections being slidingly engaged to respectiveslots in said second pair of flange portions.
 18. The combined view andrangefinder of claim 17 wherein said first lens masking means includes aparallelepiped structure defining spaced apart, opposed major surfaceshaving respective rectangular apertures therethrough for framing saidrectangular field of view and presenting a light baffle to stray light,said opposed major surfaces engaging respectively said lens element andsaid forward pair of spaced apart flange portions of said frame memberinhibit said first lens element projections from slidingly disengagingfrom said respective slots in said forward pair of spaced apart flangeportions, said first lens masking means additionally including means forsnap-fitting said opposed major surfaces into opposed spaced apartrelation with respect to each other.
 19. The combined view andrangefinder of claim 17 including means for masking said eye lens insubstantial coincidence to said rectangular field of view, said eye lensmasking means including a parallelepiped structure defining spaced apartopposed major surfaces having respective rectangular aperturestherethrough in substantial registration with respect to said field ofview for presenting a light baffle to stray light, said eye lens maskingmeans additionally including means for engaging said eye lens and saidrearward pair of spaced apart flange portions to inhibit said eye lensprojections from slidingly disengaging from said respective slots insaid forward pair of spaced apart flange portions, said eye lens maskingmeans additionally including means for snap-fitting said opposed majorsurfaces into opposed spaced apart relation with respect to each other.20. The combined view and rangefinder of claim 13 wherein said supportmeans includes an elongated frame member having at least one side wallsection extending longitudinally from said first lens element to saideye lens, said frame member additionally including another side wallsection extending obliquely outward with respect to said one side wallmember.
 21. The combined view and rangefinder of claim 20 wherein saidmeans for facilitating movement of said second lens element include: amember connected for pivotal movement with respect to said other sidewall section, said pivotal member having a first portion thereofconnecting to said second lens element and a second portion thereofslidingly engaged to a complementary slot in said one side wall sectionto limit pivotal movement of said pivotal member about a determinatearcuate path, said pivotal member additionally including a cam followerportion for movement in correspondence to objective lens focusing, andbiasing means for resiliently urging said pivotal member to pivot in aselect direction to maintain said cam follower in position for movementin correspondence to objective lens focusing.
 22. The combined view andrangefinder of claim 13 wherein said support means includes means forfacilitating its releasable snap-fit connection with respect to thecamera.
 23. The combined view and rangefinder of claim 13 wherein:saidsupport means includes at least one elongated frame member having atleast one planar side wall section extending longitudinally between saidfirst lens element and said eye lens and wherein said light beamsplitting means includes at least one diamond shaped partiallyreflective planar surface extending obliquely outward of said side wall,said diamond shape facilitating the alignment of respective edges ofsaid partially reflective planar surface in respective planes which areeither perpendicular or parallel to said side wall section.
 24. Acombined view and rangefinder for use in cameras having a variable focusobjective lens comprising:a first lens element for receiving scene lightfrom a scene to be photographed and imaging the scene light so receivedin a field of view generally corresponding to the field of view for theobjective lens of the camera; a specularly reflective surface forreceiving scene light independent of said first lens element; a secondlens element for receiving scene light from the scene to be photographedby way of said specularly reflective surface and for imaging the scenelight independent of the scene light imaged by said first lens element;means for splitting a light beam; an eye lens for viewing said imagedscene light from said first and second lens elements; support means forstationing said first lens element, said light beam splitting means andsaid eye lens in spaced apart alignment so that said first lens elementreceives and transmits scene light from the scene to be photographedtoward said beam splitting means which in turn transmits such scenelight toward said eye lens to facilitate viewing of imaged scene light,said support means additionally supporting said second lens element forlimited displacement about a determinate path while also supporting saidspecularly reflective surface in spaced apart optical alignment withrespect to said second lens element on the opposite side of said secondlens element from said beam splitting means, said specularly reflectivesurface operating to angularly deflect scene light to said second lenselement whereby scene light received and transmitted by said second lenselement is ultimately directed toward said beam splitting means so as tobe deflected by said beam splitting means toward said eye lens toaccommodate viewing through said eye lens of said scene light imaged bysaid second lens element, said support means comprising a unitarystamped metal frame member having a first section extendinglongitudinally from said first lens element to said eye lens, said framemember additionally including folded portions extending outward fromsaid first section for engagingly supporting said first lens element,said beam splitting means and said eye lens, said frame memberadditionally including a second section extending laterally outward fromsaid first section, said second section including a longitudinal slotwhich defines said determinate path of displacement for said second lenselement and additionally including at least one folded portion forsupporting said specularly reflective surface; and means forfacilitating movement of said second lens element across saiddeterminate path in correspondence to camera focusing so that saidsecond image is moved into substantial coincidence with said first imagein correspondence to the objective lens of the camera assuming a focusedcondition with respect to the scene to be photographed.
 25. The combinedview and rangefinder of claim 24 wherein:said folded portions of saidframe member include at least a first and second plurality of spacedapart slots therein: said first lens element is molded plastic with afirst plurality of projections disposed about the periphery thereof,said first plurality of projections being slidingly engaged torespective slots of said first plurality of slots; and said eye lens ismolded plastic with a second plurality of projections disposed about theperiphery thereof, said second plurality of projections being slidinglyengaged to respective slots of said second plurality of slots.
 26. Thecombined view and rangefinder of claim 25 including means for maskingsaid first lens element so as to frame the scene light imaged by saidfirst lens element in a generally rectangular field of view wherein saidfirst lens masking means includes a parallelepiped structure definingspaced apart, opposed major surfaces having respective rectangularapertures therethrough for framing said rectangular field of view andpresenting a light baffle to stray light, said opposed major surfacesengaging respectively said first lens element and select portions ofsaid frame member to inhibit said first lens element projections fromslidingly disengaging from said respective slots of said first pluralityof slots, said first lens masking means additionally including means forsnap-fitting said opposed major surfaces into opposed spaced apartrelation with respect to each other.
 27. The combined view andrangefinder of claim 25 including means for masking said eye lens insubstantial coincidence to said rectangular field of view, said eye lensmasking means including a parallelepiped structure defining spaced apartopposed major surfaces having respective rectangular aperturestherethrough in substantial registration with respect to said field ofview for presenting a light baffle to stray light, said eye lens maskingmeans additionally including means for engaging said eye lens and selectportions of said frame member to inhibit said eye lens projections fromslidingly disengaging from said respective slots of said secondplurality of slots, said eye lens masking means additionally includingmeans for snap-fitting said opposed major surfaces into opposed spacedapart relation with respect to each other.
 28. The combined view andrangefinder of claim 24 wherein: said folded portions include a firstforward pair of spaced apart opposed flange portions extending laterallyoutward from said first section and a second rearward pair of spacedapart opposed flange portions extending laterally outward from saidfirst section, said first pair of flange portions including respectivelyat least an open ended slot extending therein in directions generallyparallel to said first section and said second pair of flange portionsincluding respectively at least an open ended slot extending therein indirections generally perpendicular to said first wall section; saidfirst lens element is molded plastic with a first set of opposedprojections disposed about the periphery thereof, said first set ofprojections being slidingly engaged to respective slots in said firstpair of flange portions, and said eye lens is molded plastic with asecond set of opposed projections disposed about the periphery thereof,said second set of projections being slidingly engaged to respectiveslots in said second pair of flange portions.
 29. The combined view andrangefinder of claim 28 including means for masking said first lenselement so as to frame the scene light imaged by said first lens elementin a generally rectangular field of view wherein said first lens maskingmeans includes a parallelepiped structure defining spaced apart, opposedmajor surfaces having respective rectangular apertures therethrough forframing said rectangular field of view and presenting a light baffle tostray light, said opposed major surfaces engaging respectively said lenselement and said forward pair of spaced apart flange portions of saidframe member to inhibit said first lens element projections fromslidingly disengaging from said respective slots in said forward pair ofspaced apart flange portions, said first lens masking means additionallyincluding means for snap-fitting said opposed major surfaces intoopposed spaced apart relation with respect to each other.
 30. Thecombined view and rangefinder of claim 28 including means for maskingsaid eye lens in substantial coincidence to said rectangular field ofview, said eye lens masking means including a parallelepiped structuredefining spaced apart opposed major surfaces having respectiverectangular apertures therethrough in substantial registration withrespect to said field of view for presenting a light baffle to straylight, said eye lens masking means additionally including means forengaging said eye lens and said rearward pair of spaced apart flangeportions to inhibit said eye lens projections from slidingly disengagingfrom said respective slots in said forward pair of spaced apart flangeportions; said eye lens masking means additionally including means forsnap-fitting said opposed major surfaces into opposed spaced apartrelation with respect to each other.
 31. The combined view andrangefinder of claim 24 wherein said second section extends obliquelyoutward with respect to said first section.
 32. The combined view andrangefinder of claim 24 wherein said means for facilitating movement ofsaid second lens element include: a member connected for pivotalmovement with respect to said second section, said pivotal member havinga first portion thereof connecting to said second lens element and asecond portion thereof slidingly engaged to a complementary slot in saidfirst section to limit pivotal movement of said pivotal member about adeterminate arcuate path, said pivotal member additionally including acam follower portion for movement in correspondence to objective lensfocusing, and biasing means for resiliently urging said pivotal memberto pivot in a select direction to maintain said cam follower in positionfor movement in correspondence to objective lens focusing.
 33. Thecombined view and rangefinder of claim 24 wherein said support meansincludes means for facilitating its releasable snap-fit connection withrespect to the camera.
 34. The combined view and rangefinder of claim 24wherein:said first section comprises a generally planar side wall andsaid light beam splitting means includes at least one diamond shapedpartially reflective planar surface extending obliquely outward of saidside wall, said diamond shape facilitating the alignment of respectiveedges of said partially reflective planar surface in respective planeswhich are either perpendicular or parallel to said side wall section.35. A camera of the rangefinder type comprising:a variable focusobjective lens; a camera housing having portions structured to benormally held in a horizontal plane during a photographic exposurecycle, said camera housing including a front wall portion having a firstaperture for accommodating the admission of scene light to saidobjective lens, a second aperture spaced apart from said first apertureand a third aperture spaced apart from said second aperture along a linewhich intersects said second aperture and is oblique to the horizontalplane when said camera is held in its said normal position; and acombined viewing and rangefinding means for imaging scene light receivedthrough said second aperture to provide a first image in a field of viewgenerally corresponding to the field of view for said objective lens,and for imaging scene light received through said third aperture toprovide a second image in a portion of said field of view, said imagedscene light received through said third aperture being superposed onsaid imaged scene light received through said second aperture so thatsaid first and second images may be viewable together from a positionoutside of said camera housing, said combined view and rangefindingmeans additionally including means for facilitating movement of saidsecond image across said first image along said oblique line when saidcamera is held in its said normal position, said second image moving incorrespondence to camera focusing so that said second image is movedinto substantial coincidence with said first image in correspondence tosaid objective lens assuming a focused condition with respect to thescene to be photographed.
 36. The camera of claim 35 wherein said frontwall portion includes an apron extending laterally forward of anddownward from said objective lens to a forward edge parallel to thehorizontal plane when said camera is held in its said normal position,said apron including a recessed portion forward of said third apertureto accommodate the admission of scene light to said third aperture. 37.The camera of claim 36 wherein said camera includes a motor and switchcontrol apparatus stationed immediately adjacent the underside of saidapron and beside said recessed portion.